Illuminated lock



May 2o, 1941. .W N, SILKER 2,242,626

ILLUMINATED LOCK Filed June 6, 1958 Qwue/wtlofb Patented May 20, 1941 UNITED STATES ATENT FFECE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to illuminated locks, and While it is directed particularly to the illumination of locks for vehicles, such as automobiles, railway cars, etc., it is equally as well adaptable to locks generally.

The primary object of the invention is to provide illuminating means in association with a lock, of such character as to illuminate the keyhole or receiving face of the lock mechanism in order that quick and ready insertion of the key may be accomplished.

A further object of the invention is to provide keyhole illuminating means for locks which may be easily and quickly actuated from the exterior of the lock supporting structure.

A still further object is to provide a lock illumination means for use particularly upon motor vehicles, wherein the source of electric energy in the vehicle structure may be utilized as means for igniting the lamp.

A further object of the invention is to provide lock illuminating means characterized by means withinv the casing of the lock for supporting the illuminating device in proper position to project its rays within the key opening, and further characterized by means whereby the lamp may be readily replaced when required without the necessity of special skill or apparatus.

A still further and particular object of the invention is to provide a lock kcasing or housing equipped with illuminating means of the character and for the. purposes generally stated which is of simplev construction, which is composed of few readily assembled parts, which may be easily and quickly operated, which may be embodied in lock structures of the type now generally used without material alteration or variation therein, and which will prove highly practical and efficient in use.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will appear more fully hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a conventional form of motor vehicle and illustrat` ing as applied thereto a lock illuminating means embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse fragmentary section taken through the lock housing and illustrating the igniting means as applied thereto,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing a slight modification of the invention,

Figure 4 is a similar view showing a further modication, and

Figure 5 is a similar view showing a' still further development or variation in the inventive idea.

While, as before stated, the invention is here described and illustrated in connection with the `door of a motor vehicle, it will be understood that the -invention is not necessarily restricted -to such use as it may with equal efciency and satisfaction be associated with locks of diierent forms and typesand for association with other structures.

In the drawing, the door body is indicated at 6, the latch operating handle for the lock is designated at 1 and the opening in which the key is to be inserted for actuating the lock mechanism is represented' generally at 8. No attempt is here made to disclose connection between the key actuated mechanism and the door latch as such forms no part of the invention. It is suiiicient only to show conventionally key actuated mechanism for a lock structure andl the opening through which the key is to be inserted for controlling the operations of the mechanism.

The casing or housing for the lock structure is represented generally at 9 and takes the'form usually employed in such structures. This housing has arranged transversely therein a barrel or cylinder I 0, within which the key actuated mechanism or tumblers II are disposed and which control operation of the latch operating arm I2. In all forms of the invention, the key receiving face of this mechanism is disposed inwardly from the outer face of the lock casing and the door, forming in effect a recess through which the key must pass before entering the key receiving face of the tumbler mechanism. In Figure 2 of the drawing there is shown a lamp support I3 disposed within the lock casing and in communication with that space immediately in advance of the key receiving face of the tumblers, and in this support is mounted a miniature light bulb I4 which, when ignited, projects its rays into the aforementioned recess vso as to fully illuminate the recess as well as the key receiving face of the tumbler mechanism. The cylinder or barrel Ill in advance of the tumbler mechanism is formed of some material which is transparent, such for instance as heavy glass, Celluloid or other material through which light rays may freely pass.

In Figure 3 of the drawing there is shown a slight modification wherein the Vbarrel or cylinder I a is formed of metal or other material o'i which the lock casing is made, and wherein the fore part of the casing is apertured as at I5, to permit of rays from the lamp I4 within the lamp support I3a entering the recess and illuminating the key receiving face of the locking mechanism.

In Figure 4 of the drawing there is shown a further modication wherein the lock casing is provided upon its interior with an integral shell or enlargement I6 which has the lamp I4 arranged within support I 3b so that its rays will be projected into the shell through opening I'I. The key actuated mechanism in this instance is confined within the barrel Ib whose forward end terminates at the rear of shell I8. In vFigure 4 there is shown a conventional electric circuit by which the lamp may be ignited or extinguished, and wherein there is shown a conventional type of snap switch on the door of the vehicle Whose operating lever is indicated at I8. When moved to one position, this switch will close a circuit through conductor IS, vthe lamp support and spring 2i), conductor ZI, battery 22 and ground as shown. When moved to the opposite position, the circuit will be broken as will vbe readily understood. The battery 22 may be the source of electric energy with which lthe motor vehicle is equipped. 'Ihe switch lever I8 is disposed upon the exterior face of the door B conveniently close to the operating handle .'I so as to be readily found in the dark without the necessity of illuminating means.

In Figure there is shown a further development `or variation, wherein the barrel Iilc at its forward end -is enlarged in shell-like formation so as to provide at the upper side an inclined wall 23 for the accommodation of the lamp bulb, and a similarly-inclined wall v24 at the lower side which acts as la reflector. The pitch of the wall 2A is such that the rays projected from the'larnp I4 will be reflected rearwardly to the key receiving face of the tumbler mechanisrn whereby to clearly illuminate the said face as welll vas the .opening in the door for the insertion of the key.

In operation, it is merely necessary to manipulate the switch lever IB to -close the circuit through the lamp, whereupon rays from the latter are projected into the barrel in advance of the key receiving face .of the tumbler mechanism. It is at once obvious vthat the opening in the door face will be clearly illuminated, as will .the face of the tumbler mechanism. vBy

including the illuminating means within the lock housing there is little opportunity for breakage or derangement and the illuminating means thus becomes an integral part of the lock mechanism per se. It will be understood that the spring arm 20 will apply sufficient tension upon the bulb to maintain the same in proper contact and against danger of lbreakage due to vibration of the vehicle. The tension, however, will not be sufficiently strong to hinder .that manipulation which will be required to remove or replace defective lamps when occasion demands.

While the foregoing is a description of what appears at this time to be the most practical ,embodiments of the invention, it will nevertheless be understood that I am not to be limited to the precise disclosures here made, as variations inthe shape, formation and assemblage may be resorted to where required without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Having .thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is:

1. In a lock structure, a casing, a barrel `disposed Within and transversely of said casing, angular walls formed upon said barrel near one side of said casing, .a lamp carried by one of said Walls, .the opposite wall having a reflecting surface adapted to reflect :rays from said lamp at an angle within said barrel, key actuated mechanism `in said barrel .te he illuminated by said rays, and means includingan electric 4circuit for igniting said lamp.

2. In a lock structure, a casing, a lock barrel in said casing terminating inwardly from a wall of said casing, an enlarged shell interposed between said casing Vand said barrel end, said shell connected to said barrel and to said .casing wall, and a lamp carried by said shell and adapted to project its rays into said barrel.

3. In a lock structure, a casing, key actuated mechanism Within .said casing including a barrel, the key receiving face .of .said vmechanism spaced from the -front of `said casing, `a shell member disposed 'between said casing and .said

barrel and connectedwith .the latter, said shell disposed out of axial `alinement with .said barrel, a lamp in said shell arranged .so .as to project its rays into the space between said .key receiving face ,and said casing, and means including an electric circuit for illuminating .said lamp.

l l y WAYNE N. SILKER. 

